04/02/2025
🧐A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science examined 3,064 dogs and found that early-life diet programming plays a significant role in either reducing or increasing the likelihood of chronic ear infections (otitis) as they age.
🔬 Key Findings:
✅ Raw, meat-based diets (NPMD) during early life significantly reduced the risk of ear infections.
❌ Highly processed, dry kibble diets (UPCD) were linked to a higher risk of otitis.
🐾 Even feeding just 25% of a raw diet during puppyhood lowered the risk, while diets with over 75% kibble increased it.
👩⚕️ Why Does This Happen?
* Allergies are the most common cause of chronic ear inflammation, and food allergies can trigger year-round ear issues.
* A biologically appropriate, fresh diet supports a stronger immune system and a healthier gut microbiome, reducing inflammation and allergy-related issues.
* The mother’s diet during pregnancy matters too—what she eats influences her puppies' health through epigenetics, shaping immune competence and long-term well-being.
🏡 Other factors that lowered ear infection risk included:
☀️ Over an hour of daily sunlight exposure
🌿 Being raised on a dirt floor (suggesting natural microbial exposure supports immunity)
👨👩👧👦 Being born into the same family rather than being rehomed
🩺 What Can You Do?
🐕 Feed a species-appropriate, minimally processed diet rich in raw meat, organs, bones, eggs, and whole foods.
🥩 Rotate protein sources to prevent allergies.
🩺 If your dog suffers from chronic ear infections, consider switching to a fresh food diet and consulting an integrative vet to uncover the root cause.
📖 Sources (link in bio)
1️⃣ Hemida, M. B. M., et al (2023). Early life programming by diet can play a role in risk reduction of otitis in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10.
2️⃣ Stogdale, L. (2019). Raw pet food diets as a solution for food allergies in dogs and cats. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 60(6), 655–658.
3️⃣ Sandri, M., & Stefanon, B. (2016). The benefits of a fresh food diet compared to processed dog food on the gut microbiome. BMC Veterinary Research, 13, 65.
👉 Have you noticed a connection between diet and ear health in your pup? Let’s discuss in the comments! 🐶👇